Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay:

Welcome to Iranawila Beach House, we are a Kiwi owned 2bed/2bath exclusive hideaway with private Chef … not too much off the beaten track, in beautiful Sri Lanka.

You’ll feel at peace with everything you need in this open plan architecturally designed home. There’s lots of polished concrete, solid teak and a wonderful feeling of space and freedom.

Both spacious rooms have Queen beds, fresh linen, towels and ceiling fans. The ensuites are identical and cleverly designed to be semi outdoors

open to sky rain showers & hot water

fresh Aloe Vera plant for sunburn

river pebble floor for a soft foot massage

Every room faces and has a direct view of the Indian Ocean; a 52ft saltwater swimming pool fits perfectly in front of the house on a manicured sand terrace, for year round dips.

Iranawila beach is swimmable in high season – Oct – April.

We offer Yoga classes for all levels & excellent massage.
When you book the Beach House you get exclusive use of the pool bar, terrace and outside kitchen with pizza oven.

The terrace is also perfect for chilling out, sunset drinks and fantastic views. With the beach in front, a small local road frames the villa, fully walled and set on 1 acre of coastal gardens, tropical fruit trees and a working vegetable patch, we try to grow as much as we can here.

Different colors and varieties of Frangipani feature around the property as do an array of colorful bird life.

Breakfast is for up to 4 guests in the nightly rate, other meals, easily by arrangement with our Chef, Gayan. He caters to all of your special requests.

Any Sri Lankan delicacies you want to try? A Sri Lankan curry cooking class in the outside kitchen? An all day menu is available too.

A unique attraction during high season are the smiling hard working fishermen/women pulling in nets on the beach in front and fishermen in an array of boats and canoes. Both activities have front row seats here.

There are no tourists or advertising.

Iranawila is a very “Nat Geo”, peaceful village, perfect for photographers of all levels.

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is 1hr away, perfect for guests arriving and acclimatizing or to end your Island holiday before you say farewell. The “Cultural Triangle, Elephant Orphanage, Wilpatu National Park are all within easy reach from IBH. The nearest local town is easily reached with several attractions as well. We are also popular with cyclists.

There are extra beds for children or other guest’s, they can be moved to any place on site and mosquito nets fitted for a real experience.

The property is perfect for anyone who needs to escape the crowds and experience a unique peaceful environment, something you don’t find very often.

We rate our service style and fresh cuisine highly as we do our sunsets.

We all love Rehoboth Beach, Del. Fire Island remains a popular and iconic destination for gay beachgoers, especially from the New York area. And Provincetown continues to draw LGBT crowds for its laid-back vibe and welcoming atmosphere.
But if you’re looking for something new, there are gay-friendly beach towns off the beaten path. Here are a few within driving distance of Washington.

Colonial Beach, Va.

Chris Adcock and Ted Tait were drawn to Colonial Beach in 2011 for its reputation as a great boating town. Once docked, they discovered its gay life. For those wanting to skip the fast-paced partying and slow-moving traffic of Rehoboth Beach, Del., Tait and Adcock recommend Virginia’s second-largest beach for its quaint, small-town feel and warm acceptance.

“They’re drastic opposite ends of the spectrum in a good way,” Adcock says. “Rehoboth is the new, modern, clubby younger scene where as Colonial Beach is much more sleepy and neighborhoody. Everybody knows everybody.”

Peru has been on my mind lately – a friend of mine asked me to join her on a trip to Peru in September, and had I not already committed to another trip, I would’ve jumped at the chance of joining her. My last trip to Peru ended abruptly, and I have been itching to return ever since I left Cuzco two and a half years ago. After finishing the 5-day Salkantay trek through the Andes to get to Machu Picchu, I’ve been keen on doing some other multi-day treks in Peru: the Cordillera Blanca mountain range around Huarez in the north of the country is supposed to be stunning, and I have no doubt that I’ll love Colca Canyon near Arequipa in the south.

And then there is the mystical oasis town of Huacachina in the midst of mighty sand dunes, the Islas Ballestas which are a wildlife lover’s dream, but I’d also love to return to Cuzco to see more of the Inca ruins around there (Machu Picchu is just one of many more) and to delve more in the city’s amazing food scene, and then there’s Lima, where people also rave about the fantastic restaurant scene and trendy neighborhoods like San Isidro, Barranco or Miraflores.

Peru’s breathtakingly beautiful and diverse landscapes have gotten a lot of praise from travel publications and travelers for a long time now, but it is Peruvian food whose popularity has increased notably over the past few years – which is why I am excited to share the giveaway below, for a culinary trip to Peru (click here to enter if you can’t wait).

It seems like every major city around the globe has at least one Peruvian restaurant these day, and Britain’s Guardian newspaper even ran an article a while back about how Peruvian food has captured food lovers’ hearts in England, quoting gourmet chef Alain Ducasse: ‘Peru will become one of the leading actors on the global culinary scene.’

When we told our friends we were going to Gran Canaria for a summer break, the reaction went along the lines of…

“You’d better return with plenty of STDs otherwise it NEVER happened!”

OR:

“Oh yeah Gran Canaria… one of my mates came back absolutely RUINED – literally: he got pissed with a few blokes he met in the sand dunes and ended up spending the entire night there!”

Gran Canaria certainly has a fierce reputation and is hugely popular with the gay boy party crowd.

And for good reason: Maspaloma Pride is one of Europe’s largest annual gay events. The beach near the sand dunes of Playa del Ingles is THE place to hang out during the day and then it’s on to the infamous Yumbo Centre in the evening – a shopping mall gay playground filled with bars, clubs and Clone Zone type shops.

However, there is a completely different side to the island, begging to be discovered. Most will base themselves in Playa del Ingles and not make it past Yumbo or the sand dunes. So here’s our 5 things you didn’t know about Gran Canaria to inspire you to venture out beyond the pink Playa Del Ingles bubble.

It feels like I’ve been all over the place this week: Berlin, then Dusseldorf, and now in Cologne, where I am spending the weekend. My three days in Cologne were definitely my favorite part of the week – my last two days in Berlin and also in Dusseldorf, it was mostly about work, but I tried to take some time off this weekend to find out if I still loved Cologne as much as I did fifteen years ago. Cologne and I have a special history: I visited the city for the first time with my girlfriends when I was 15 and was instantly mesmerized by the multi-cultural, vibrant city. What a difference from my sleepy hometown it was! I decided right there and then that I was going to move to Cologne one day, and a few more visits during my last couple of years in high school reaffirmed my love for the city, which is why I ended up enrolling in the University Of Cologne in 2000.

I had to leave unexpectedly after only two years, but always thought I’d come back one day – possibly to live there. But life had other plans for me and I never returned – until now, that is. As so many cities, Cologne has changed considerably since I lived here, and I had the best time this weekend rediscovering the place I called home all those years ago. With a good friend in tow and perfect summer weather, I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect time here – from food markets to bike rides along the Rhine River to a night out in Cologne’s thriving LGBT bar scene, I loved every second of it.

Goo Goo Dolls and Collective Soul!http://glynnhouse.com/events/ Who would think a young garage band, who picked their group name from a “True Detective” ad for a toy, would become the super rock band Goo Goo Dolls? Certainly not co-founder guitarist and front man John Rzeznik, who claims, “If I had five more minutes, I would have picked a better name.” Breaking into super stardom with their City of Angels soundtrack smash hit “Iris”.

Joining Goo Goo Dolls are Alt-rockers, Collective Soul. Helping to shape and define alternative rock with lots of guitars and attitude, Collective Soul broke into mainstream popularity and international fame with their rock anthem “Shine”. Continuing to rock, simply for the love of music, Collective Soul, more focused and energized than ever, promise a night of hits featuring fan favorites. Don’t miss a terrific concert at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion August 14.

Book your Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion accommodation at the romantic Glynn House Inn. Guests enjoy gracious surroundings, delicious food, uncompromising service and genuine hospitality. A multi-course gourmet breakfast is served at separate tables in the Victorian dining room. A full gluten free breakfast menu is always available. Afternoon refreshments and early evening wine and cheese are offered daily. Bring your favorite four-footed canine pal. Reserve one of five pet friendly rooms. Pamper yourself and book an in-room massage. Available in most guest rooms.

Are you looking for other activities during your visit to New Hampshire’s spectacular White Mountains and Lakes Regions? Venture away from the Inn and enjoy art galleries, ATV Rides, boating, fine dining, fishing, golf, hiking, historic sites, horseback riding, zip line and tax free shopping. Or, simply experience the delightful New Hampshire countryside. Inn guests enjoy savings on many activities too. View the Glynn House website http://www.glynnhouse.com for additional information about the Inn, special offers and local activities. Book Your ‘Goo Goo Dolls and Collective Soul’ Accommodation Nowhttp://ao4.availabilityonline.com/availability_search.php?un=glynnhse or call (603) 968 3775.

Event: Carnival of Madness Tour!http://glynnhouse.com/events/Shinedownbring both staggering musicality and a powerful emotional complexity to their music and fans. Their recent album release “At-rockers” places Shinedown firmly in the music industry with their most powerful sound yet.
Second up on the Carnival of Madness Tour are Grammy Award winning rockers Halestorm. They provide live show extravaganza. Fans also love the bands passion and confidence, Halestorm became the first ever female-fronted band to top Active Rock radio charts. Black Stone Cherry entered the southern Rock ‘N Roll world playing with fire and singing with brimstone. They take the stage with ambitious and fearless music.” Rock out with Black Stone Cherryand their dynamic, meaty groove.

Rounding out a night of pure rock is Whiskey Myers. Singing with refreshing directness and clarity, Whiskey Myers attracts a devoted army of outspoken fans. Check out their eclectic sound, pulling from an array of rock and classic rock influences. Experience a terrific evening of music at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion August 12.

Book your Bank of New Hampshire Pavilionaccommodation at the romantic Glynn House Inn. Guests enjoy gracious surroundings, delicious food, uncompromising service and genuine hospitality. A multi-course gourmet breakfast is served at separate tables in the Victorian dining room. A full gluten free breakfast menu is always available. Afternoon refreshments and early evening wine and cheese are offered daily. Bring your favorite four-footed canine pal. Reserve one of five pet friendly rooms. Pamper yourself and book an in-room massage. Available in most guest rooms.

Are you looking for other activities during your visit to New Hampshire’s spectacular White Mountains and Lakes Regions? Venture away from the Inn and enjoy art galleries, ATV Rides, boating, fine dining, fishing, golf, hiking, historic sites, horseback riding, zip line and tax free shopping. Or, simply experience the delightful New Hampshire countryside. Inn guests enjoy savings on many activities too.View the Glynn House website http://www.glynnhouse.com for additional information about the Inn, special offers and local activities. Book Your ‘Carnival of Sound’ accommodation Nowhttp://ao4.availabilityonline.com/availability_search.php?un=glynnhse or call (603) 968 3775.

Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay:

South Fork is a lesbian owned and operated boutique bed and breakfast in Southport, the CBD of the beautiful Gold Coast, in Queensland, Australia, offering a spacious air conditioned suite in a restored “Queenslander” cottage set in lush garden surrounds. Owned and operated by happy, friendly, local businesswoman – host Jenny has great local knowledge, is passionate about hospitality and tourism and loves helping guests experience the best the Gold Coast has to offer. Jenny opened South Fork to guests following the death of her long term partner Deborah (DL) from cancer in 2015. It had been a shared dream to run their own BnB. DL hailed from Key West, Florida, and the BnB is Jenny’s tribute to her and her Southern origins.

The suite comprises two rooms, plus own private bathroom. A large dining room where breakfast is served daily is entered directly from the suite. Walk from the dining room onto the deck overlooking the garden for breakfast. Comfortable outdoor furniture allow guests to experience and enjoy the casual sunny Queensland lifestyle.

Accommodating up to three people, the main bedroom is a Queen Size bed, with built in wardrobe and drawers including a hotel safe. The second room has a comfortable single bed divan, own fridge, tea & coffee making facilities, plasma TV and DVD, and comfortable armchair. There is a large desk and office equipment to suit business travellers. Luxury bathroom amenities include Crabtree and Evelyn shower gel and Moroccan Oil Shampoo/Conditioner.

Daily continental breakfast is a delight and all dietary requirements are accommodated. Home baked muffins feature frequently and organic red papaya from the garden is served when in season. Local honey and gourmet muesli, freshly brewed tea, French press ground coffee, artisan breads, homemade quality jams and real butter are a minimum standard at South Fork.

Bicycles are included – it is a short cycle to the beach and wonderful cycle tracks along the waterfront for miles. Large beach towels are provided for excursions to the iconic Gold Coast Beaches. Five minutes to the heart of Southport shopping centre and hub for all main public transport, including. There is a bus stop literally around the corner from cottage. 45 minutes bus shuttle to GC airport, off street car parking available for guest car. Southport offers easy access to the Gold Coast’s famous theme parks, major Hospital and medical precinct, Griffith University, TAFE College, Schools, Surfers Paradise, Chinatown and the Arts Centre. Regional attractions include Mount Tamborine, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Tweed Valley featuring the renowned Tweed Valley Art Gallery .

A relaxing destination, South Fork offers peace and tranquillity as your home base while being close to all the action the Gold Coast Glitter Strip and surrounding areas have to offer. A perfect location in the centre of paradise, a sincere and warm welcome awaits LGBTI visitors to South Fork BnB.

My blog posts are usually about faraway places: Europe, New Zealand, Mexico, but today I had the lovely experience of riding through the magnificent Columbia River Gorge, right here in the United States, on the back of a motorcycle.

I came up to southern Washington State several days ago, primarily to visit my eldest son and his family and to help Randy celebrate his 60th birthday. Now those festivities are in the past, but we wanted to do something fun. Sunny days have been a rarity up here during this trip; however, yesterday and today turned out to be very pleasant. Randy asked me if I would like to visit the Columbia River Gorge on his motorcycle.

We left La Center, motored south past Vancouver, crossed the bridge over the Columbia River and turned east.

The Columbia River is the boundary between the states of Oregon and Washington for over 80 miles. We wanted to travel the Historic Gorge Highway, which is on the Oregon side. We left the main highway, got onto the Gorge Highway, which winds up and up, twisting and turning, crossing old bridges, following along what is known as the “Waterfall Trail”, as there are several waterfalls along the route. The largest of the waterfalls is Multnomah Falls, towering 620 feet above the gorge, falling in two sections to join a stream that flows down to the Columbia River.

There was so much traffic around the falls today that signs were up directing traffic
away. We had to stop and take this picture from a roadside stop on the Washington side of the River. The falls are still impressive.

Along the Historic Highway, we stopped at Vista House. This building was constructed in the early 1900’s as a rest stop for travelers. It is a very attractive building, built of local stone with stained glass windows and inside walls of marble.

We climbed the staircase inside the building and came out onto a balcony that encircled the building, giving visitors a 360-degree view of the Columbia River, mountains in the background, farmland around small waterways.

We were happy that we had talked to the young couple. They were from Melbourne, Australia, and they were having a grand time touring our Pacific Northwest. However, they were a bit embarrassed that they could not pronounce the names of places correctly. Randy told them that some of the names are of Native American extraction , so unless one was born here, the names are difficult for all of us. They were so cute and friendly. We were sorry to leave them.

Later, we stopped for gas and a snack, which we had while resting at a picnic area. A young man, also riding a motorcycle, stopped and engaged Randy in a conversation about road trips, motorcycle efficiency and other motorcycle-related topics. This must be the way things are all over the world: people of like minds and interests gravitate to others of the same interests.

Finally, we had to head for home. We crossed the Columbia River again, over to the Washington side, by way of the Bridge of the Gods. This is a cantilevered steel bridge. While driving across, I fcould look down and see the water about 400 feet below us. I only looked once! I had to research why it is called Bridge of the Gods. Apparently, over 600 years ago, an earthquake made a dam in the River, allowing people to cross from one side of the River to the other. Eventually, that dam washed away, and other bridges were made, with only man-made materials and labor, but the name stuck.

Once on the Washington side of the River, we followed the Lewis and Clark scenic highway back to Vancouver. We had to get on the freeway for some time before Randy turned found the exit he wanted. We finished our trip by going through more farmland and peaceful scenery.

I had a great time, and I am very grateful to my son who took the time to take his mother on an adventure. Thank you, Randy.

A little over an hour by air from New York City is Portland, Maine, a charming and picturesque port city with a concentrated population of over 60,000 residents. Flying in you might be dazzled—if it’s summer—by the sapphire blue water and emerald green vegetation. Once you land and make your way to the historic center you will marvel at the lovely examples of architecture that survived four terrible fires and a couple of terrible battles, which earned the city its seal of a phoenix rising from the ashes, and its motto “Resurgam” or “Rise again.”

Indeed, Portland is a survivor and has reinvented itself numerous times. Located on a peninsula in Casco Bay on the Gulf of Maine and the Atlantic Ocean, it was originally inhabited by Indians, and then settled by white men as a site of trading and fishing. It grew into a bustling port and commercial center, reached by both rail and by sea, once icebreakers were invented for Canadian exports. Today, the prettiest—and certainly the most touristy—part of town is arguably the Old Port, which is still a commercial center, selling everything from nautical mementos to souvenirs to fresh local fish; and the vibrant and pleasant Arts District, which follows Congress Street through the city center. Only a couple of laneways and cobblestone streets down near the piers speak of the city’s rough-and-tumble past, and even they do so delightfully. Finance, petroleum, and tourism form the backbone of the city’s economy now, and the tourism is especially welcoming of LGBT travelers and hipsters.

I visited for Pride, on June 10-19, and was thoroughly charmed by the city and its people, as well as this great event, which had plenty on for lesbians, including spoken word poet Andrea Gibson and DJ Mary Mac. I mingled with the local lesbians, two of whom have transplanted themselves here because they were charmed by the place too! Kim Chesterfield, who works with the local Pride organization, came to Maine in 1992 to work at a summer camp. “I fell in love with my first partner and with Portland… I just never left,” she says.